Tyson: Ramping up for X Games

LAKEPORT -- A part-time Lakeport firefighter and paramedic began a five-month international trip this week for his full-time job: building action-sports ramps.

"I enjoy what I do because I'm good at it, I've done it for a long time, I have some really good partners now and I have some really good guys working for me," John Tyson said Thursday.

Known to friends as "J.T.," the 40-year-old Tyson has been in the trade for more than two decades, constructing ramps and equipment for skateboarding competitions and other big-time events around the world.

This time around, Tyson and other crewmembers from his company, California Rampworks, will travel to four countries from March through August, laying the groundwork for ESPN's X Games.

The group will set up and take down skate and bicycle motocross (BMX) courses for the most recognizable action-sports competition in the world. Tyson said this is his 19th year building ramps for the X Games.

Working behind the scenes is a source of pride for Tyson, who said he enjoys "the fact we can go in there, look at this blank canvas and figure out how to make it work. It's kind of the mystery and mystique of entertainment."

He left Lake County Friday for the X Games stop in Foz do Igua?u, Brazil. He will then travel to the ESPN events in Barcelona, Spain, Munich, Germany and Los Angeles.

Tyson's company also designs sets for "America's Got Talent," theme-park performances and special events. He helped construct the ramp skateboarder Danny Way used to jump over the Great Wall of China.

Of all the structures he has completed worldwide, Tyson said the 10-story MegaRamp used at the X Games stands out the most.

"That's definitely the scariest one because one false move, and instead of cutting your finger off, you're going to fall 100 feet and die. The consequence for failure is pretty severe there," he said.

Tyson works from home in Lakeport for his Carlsbad-based company, which earns contracts for events that allow him to travel across the United States and the world.

A San Diego-area native, Tyson moved to the Bay Area in the 1990s. He and his wife relocated to Lake County 12 years ago. They have two young children.

"I kept seeing ads in magazines for lakefront property up here ? We got an agent up here, found a place we really liked and bought a house," he said.

Six years ago, he decided to follow through on a childhood dream, entering and later completing paramedic school and the fire academy.

"It's something I've always wanted to do," Tyson said. "I really like the camaraderie and the fire-rescue stuff. I used to be in search and rescue for a long time."

Tyson, who now works part-time for the Lakeport Fire Protection District, said he found it easier to mesh with a small-town department rather than one in a more densely populated area.

"In a big city fire department, you're more of a number. Here, you're a name and a face," he added.

Acting as an emergency responder allows Tyson to fulfill a deeply held desire to serve the public.

"It's a way for me to go see someone on the worst day of their life ? they can't breathe or every issue is wrong with them ? and I can go, ?I can help you, get you to the hospital, fix some things here and just get you to where you need to go next,'" he said. "It feels good to give back."

Tyson's X Games crew features three other Lake County residents, including his former captain from the Kelseyville Fire Protection District. Tyson also works for the ESPN medical staff during the world-renowned competition.

Jeremy Walsh is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 263-5636, ext. 37 or jwalsh@record-bee.com. Follow him on Twitter, @JeremyDWalsh.